Madrid's story is one of the most unlikely of any European capital

The only European capital founded as a Muslim settlement, Madrid has a story as diverse as its population today. From the grandeur of the Habsburg and Bourbon dynasties to the chaos and trauma of civil war and dictatorship, Madrid has survived it all with defiant spirit.

It has been home to some of Spain's - and the world's - most brilliant writers, thinkers and artists, from Cervantes and Goya to Hemingway and Almod var. It has been the setting for outrageous political scandals, mass movements and wild literary rivalries. And it continues to be a city that refuses to be defined by anything but its own irrepressible energy.

'Impressively compact for such a vast subject, Linda Jaivin's brief history of Madrid captures the depth and flavour of one of the world's most remarkable cities.' -Luke Stegemann

'Filled with vivid descriptions and entertaining asides, Linda Jaivin's prose dances gracefully over centuries of Madrid's history with ease, making this an entertaining and informative read.' -Felicity Hughes, The Making of Madrid blog